What is the mark of the beast?
This is one of the most difficult and obscure parts of the book of Revelation. It occurs seven times in the book from chapter 13 to the end. Modern Christians have tended to see this as some kind of future identification that Christians should avoid, like giving a person a number on his forehead or a microchip on his body. By requiring Christians to be marked, this would allow them to be controlled. The actual “mark” that is talked about is probably a tattoo that was given to anyone who participated in worship of the Roman emperor. This tattoo marked you as a loyal citizen of Rome, and allowed you to do business. Without the tattoo or mark, your loyalty to the emperor could be questioned. Refusal to be marked probably meant you were a Christian. Obviously, Christians would be concerned about anything that is used to “mark” them for persecution. But credit cards, microchips with health and employee information, and the internet are not anything Christians should avoid for fear of “the m
The False Prophet causes all to receive a public mark on the right hand or forehead (Rev. 13:8; 14:9-12; 15:2; 16:2; 17:8; 19:20; 20:4). No one may buy or sell (basic necessities of life such as food, electricity, etc.) except one who has the mark. Economic survival will be the issue. To refuse the mark is to be refused all benefits of the social institutions. The mark being on the right hand or forehead makes those who have refused to take it obvious to all. The mark will be required and will have severe penalties socially and economically. This will result in relational and economic conflict and pressure on a daily basis. However, to take this mark is to become demonized and reprobate, ending in eternal judgment (Rev. 14:9-11). The mark is a mark of loyalty and worship.
